Tag Archives: sounds of spring

Live Review: Sunset Sounds 2010 – Day 1

Author: Duncan McKimm

Sunset Sounds 2010   In a supreme tease to office workers across the CBD, Sunset Sounds opened its gates for a second year to accept the swarm of humanity buzzing around the Botanic Gardens mid-afternoon. Unfortunately, as I hold the excruciating dual-citizenship of office peon and festival-goer, my entry time didn’t allow me to see either the ethereal north Queenslanders The Middle East or local noisemakers DZ.

I was, however, in time to see some nouveau disco from Brooklyn’s Phenomenal Handclap Band, who brought the funk to the Gardens stage right on time for the thickening crowd. Radio favourites like ’15 to 20’ were on beat, on point and pitch perfect – while ‘I been born again’ nailed the vaguely hippy atmosphere you get from standing under the majestic figs listening to music in the afternoon. Nothing like a funky jam out to really kick a festival off right.

With Jamie T not far away, the Riverstage gradually filled as the grey sky dimmed (nature’s shout out to the Brit?). Also in this time (between five and six thirty) it seemed the whole crowd had become very, er, animated… Jamie came on stage to a warm welcome – possibly fans from his recent tour, or possibly just pumped festival folk (see earlier animation remark). He and his Pacemakers launched into a set evenly split between his two albums – with the newer material really hitting with the crowd. Whether that’s a result of those songs having been written with a band instead of solo, or the crowd being new fans (T birds? T bags? ) I’m not sure. Unfortunately in something of an omen for the rest of the bands that night, his set lost focus midway through, with a solo rendition of ‘Back in the Game’ killing off the momentum. He wrangled it back with some good banter and a pleasantly loose ‘Sticks and Stones’, but overall the result was a bit of a near-miss.

Over to the Hibiscus Stage for a bit of Seasick Steve where my first thought was of where to best go to find some music that wouldn’t put me to sleep. Luckily I’d simply stumbled into the Sunset Sounds mid-set slump, which the formerly homeless entertainer exited with some exceptional blues guitar riffing. “We’re gonna play for the whole hour they gave us – I don’t give a fuck whether the band before us went long, we’re playin’ the whole thing, you can come tear me off the stage if you want”. Nothing like a menacing rant to the stage manager from a man that, let’s face it, may still carry a shiv, to really add a bit of excitement to the set.

Burning away from the last of Seasick Steve to catch Art Vs Science but my good lord – the crowd! The Gardens stage was packed out to way past the sound tent. These boys must be having the time of their lives riding the crest of the Triple J wave. ‘Parlez Vous Francais’ predictably had the crowd going nuts, but again, they followed with a mid-set slump! Now someone like Seasick Steve or even Jamie T you can probably forgive, as they’re not simply about getting a dancefloor moving (although I’m sure they’d enjoy it if it happened). But when your primary aim is to have the crowd moving non-stop, YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME NOISE FELLAS! Tuning of guitars should be done while the rhythm section keeps the beat cranking away, not while they sneak a quick mid-set ciggie. If in doubt look at the girls in the front row – if they aren’t dancing you’re not doing your job right. The VERY animated crowd was leaving in droves before AVS could find the accelerator again for ‘Flippers’, most trying to secure a spot for Moby on the main stage presumably.

For a bald vegan midget, Moby certainly knows how to rock a show out. If you maybe aren’t the biggest fans of his work (I’d defy anyone to like everything he’s done), believe me – his live show is essential. It shows some of his greatest tracks in a new light – more punch, more verve, more…balls. Crass though it may be, ‘ballsy’ is the best adjective to describe the show. The man wore his guitar like a rock star and fronted his band like he owned the joint (which he may well do – he has quite the property portfolio). Tracks like Porcelain swam hauntingly around the amphitheatre, washing over the crowd with clarity and precision. Body Rock was suitably beefy, although the volume could certainly have been cranked up some. Even as close as the sound-tent the music was on the quieter side of things. His set is always eclectic and this one was no exception – dropping a thrashy punk song (“the first song I ever wrote”), before asking the crowd if he could add “three completely over the top disco tracks, if that’s alright?” – Moby nailed his banter, chatty but without losing momentum. There were no objections from the crowd to his setlist as the dancing spread backwards from the pit and up the hill. By the time he decided to hit us with his trancier material at the close the entire Riverstage was “Haviiin’ iiiiiit” (as a nearby Pom exclaimed). As the man himself summed up – “I’ve made a lot of different types of music in my time, but at the heart of it, I’m still a little raver. Some of the greatest times in my life have been spent with my hands in the air in some field listening to techno as the sun comes up”. Amen to that.

And so concludes Day 1 of Sounds of Spring 2010.

Sunset Sounds Day 1 January 6 2010


Related:
Live Review: Sunset Sounds 2010 – Day 1
Live Review: Sunset Sounds 2010 – Day 2
Photos: Sunset Sounds 2010 – Day 1 by Matt Palmer
Photos: Sunset Sounds 2010 – Day 2 by Matt Palmer
Photos: Sunset Sounds 2010 – by Stuart Blythe

Hungry Kids of Hungary – “Let You Down Easy” National Tour – November 2009

Hungry Kids of Hungary   The frequent flyer miles have been piling up for the Hungry Kids of Hungary in 2009 as they zigzagged around the country on the heels of Bertie Blackman and Little Birdy as well as firming up friendships with the likes of Oh Mercy, Tom Ugly and Philadelphia Grand Jury and Washington on the massive triple j presented International Relations Tour. And that’s not to mention a slew of interstate appearances and festival slots at the likes of Big Day Out, Sounds of Spring, Blueprint Festival and Valley Fiesta.

Now it’s time for the Brisbane-four to stand on their own eight feet, fuel up the Tarago yet again and hit the road on their own merits for The Let You Down Easy National Tour, their first ever headline jaunt.

Continue reading Hungry Kids of Hungary – “Let You Down Easy” National Tour – November 2009

Live Review | Sounds of Spring Festival 2009

Sounds of Spring 2009
Review by Bek Grealy
Photo by Stuart Blythe

The Living End
Being a typical Sydney Festival goer, I was excited to finally attend a Brissy festival, and Sounds of Spring line up was amplifying my anticipation. With an extremely talented line up, featuring the likes of Calling all Cars, After the Fall, Dead Letter Circus, Mammal, Shihad, Frenzal Rhomb, Dave McCormack and the Polaroids, Little Birdy, Tim Rogers, Tex Perkins… the list goes on! What a cracker of a day, temperatures reaching 32 degrees, and a venue that boasted great stages, a beer tent on every corner and water around every bend. The ANA showgrounds in my mind proved to be the perfect festival venue.
Continue reading Live Review | Sounds of Spring Festival 2009

Live Review | Sounds of Spring 2009 (part 2)

Review By Jose Eduardo Cruz
Photo by Matt Palmer

MammalAfter overcoming security guards that were more intent on removing bottled water from punters then checking bags for dangerous items, I entered the RNA to a sea of people ready to have a good time. There was an incredible amount of space for everyone to move around in; there were plenty of real toilets, not those disgusting portaloo’s made famous by Kenny, and sufficient shade to shelter during the midday sun.
The first band on the agenda was Melodyssy on the Trash Stage.
With a sizable crowd present, Melodyssy dive into a powerful set. Unfortunately, the mix was way too bass driven and overpowered the guitar and vocals. Overall, they managed to please those that stayed around to listen to their whole set.

After The Fall at the Main Stage begin to warm things up with their danceable vibrant set. The crowd was rather tame considering the high energy these guys were putting out. Nevertheless, a masked Mexican wrestler and Barney Rubble made an appearance in the crowd which was duly noted by their front man.

Next in line was Dead Letter Circus and the first sing along of the festival gets started. These guys are professional and could be the next big thing potentially taking over the spot currently held by The Butterfly Effect. The pit was still subdued and only until their front man decided to jump from the stage and acquaint himself with the front row that the energy in the pit picked up. We see the first crowd surfers and the crowd ignites. In a gesture that will make everyone remember them, Dead Letter Circus started to throw multiple bottles of water into the crowd. DLC proclaim that “Sounds Of Spring” is the best festival and that there are “No glow sticks here!!”

Now I will dedicate several more words to the next band for they were, for me, by far the best band in the line up. Mammal exploded onto the stage with Ezekiel Ox wearing a pair of bull horns through the entire first song. The entire pit was electric and fed off every move from the entire band. Mid set things got a little interesting. Mr. Ox pointed to the Australian flag and explained why he did not associate himself with it. He pointed to the Aboriginal flag fixed to his mic and pledged his allegiance to Indigenous Australians. Not ever having associated Mammal with a political stance, it’s a pleasure to see and hear some level of social commentary in such a massive public gathering. Perhaps not the best delivery, considering alcohol and ignorance can lead to violent patriotism, but nonetheless an excellent move. It does not stop there, Mr. Ox decided to dive into the crowd, crowd surf his way to the middle of the pit while signing and carrying on a call and response. Looking forward to documenting this band in the near future.

Shihad, the on again off again band from across the pacific, jump on stage with their trade mark low rider guitars and embark on a greatest hits set. They struggle to get the crowd motivated enough, but it’s a hard task having to follow Mammal. The regulatory sing along is carried out as is the diving into the crowd.

As 5pm approached, the sun begun to set and people begun to tire and the ample grass space was taken over by sleepy bodies. Anticipating the forecasted dust storm, I made my way to a more protected area within the RNA.

Something with Numbers on the Triple J stage was an interesting band. They had the whole tent from the front to the back dancing. In between songs, I was approached by a fairy, which seem to come out a lot at festivals, and given a present. Before she left she said for me to dance and continue having fun.

The Beautiful Girls is a special band that is always well received wherever they play. Two new songs are debuted and near the end of their show they had the crowd singing to a Phil Collins classic. “I can feel it in the air tonight”, “I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life”… very appropriate considering the dust storm that hit Brisbane that night.

Blue King Brown is received by a much smaller crowd then they are used to. They are always cultural, political and acknowledging. The fusion of latin, reggae and rock has made them the premier band in Australia within their genre. However, this is the third time watching this band and although I am a big fan, the format of their performance has been the same the three times I have seen them. My fear is that they will be overexposed and quickly become stale. Nevertheless, they are one of the best Australian independent bands. This reviewer just hopes that something new begins to happen in their shows.
As yet another festival draws to a close, Josh Pyke gently sends everyone home with his beautiful sound.

Overall this was one of the best festivals I have ever attended. The atmosphere was excellent, there were no overly drunk idiots ruining the day for someone else, the punters were very calm and respectful and even with a dust storm that made everything seem apocalyptic, fun was had by everyone. We all await 2010 with anticipation.

Sunday Selection: Grand Atlantic : 6 September 2009

LifeMusicMedia Sunday Selection is your weekly view to Australian Artists

Grand Atlantic   With earth shaking guitar riffs that give way to an addictive pop melody saturation, ‘She’s A Dreamer’, the first release from Grand Atlantic’s follow up to their acclaimed debut, marks the end of a productive 2008 and demonstrates a band set to take 2009 by force. The enthralling and mysterious new album, titled ‘How We Survive’, was mixed by Magoo (Midnight Oil, Powderfinger, Regurgitator, An Horse) and was mastered in Nashville and released on Laughing Outlaw Records in June 2009.

Their debut EP ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ saw Grand Atlantic soar into Australia’s national consciousness. Released in November ’06, ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ created a storm of approval locally and overseas. The ‘2006 Drum Media Writers Poll’ listed it as one of the top ten EPs Of The Year and the title track’s superb

Continue reading Sunday Selection: Grand Atlantic : 6 September 2009

Interview: Tex Perkins on Sounds of Spring, Album and Film Scores

Interview: Bek Grealy

Tex PerkinsThe Sounds of Spring line-up reads like a who’s who of Australian music. Tex Perkins is prominent and takes time out to chat to us about the festival, his album and writing film scores.

Bek – Have you checked out the final line up for Sounds of Spring? Are you looking forward to playing alongside some really great bands?
TexNo I don’t know who’s on the line up. Who is??

Bek – Shihad, The Panics, Tim Rogers, The Living End, Josh Pyke and Clare Bowditch – just to name a few – Sounds of Spring looks set to be a massive day, really impressive?
TexYes some of those are my very good friends, so I am really happy to hear that. I’d love to go and watch them when time permits. Yeh fantastic line up.

Continue reading Interview: Tex Perkins on Sounds of Spring, Album and Film Scores

THE KILL DEVIL HILLS “Man You Should Explode” Album Tour Sep-Oct 2009

Kill Devil Hills   West Australian five piece THE KILL DEVIL HILLS announce the imminent release of their third album, MAN, YOU SHOULD EXPLODE.

The multi award- winning group has spent the best part of 2009 completing their new album with producer Burke Reid (The Drones, Jack Ladder, The Mess Hall), to be released nationally in September 2009.

The first single COCKFIGHTER, a vicerial four minutes of screeched jungle punk that marks a striking new direction in the band’s sound, is on the airwaves now. Listen out for their new single very soon.
Continue reading THE KILL DEVIL HILLS “Man You Should Explode” Album Tour Sep-Oct 2009

Sunday Selection: RogerThat : 2 August 2009

LifeMusicMedia Sunday Selection is your weekly view to Queensland Artists

Rogerthat
[Photo: Stuart Blythe]
   Rogerthat is a rock-reggae band that shakes every room they play in. A band that could have come from just about any era. Their contemporaries could be the Black Crowes or the Black Keys. Anything from the Woodstock era, Marley and Lee Scratch Perry or the steel blues of Muddy Waters (circa Electric Mud)… if you could mash the raw electric, psychedelic rock-reggae rep’s of those, you’d get close to the quartet

Rogerthat are back in Australia in August and Sept to mix their peyote and melt minds. On a national tour to prop the release of The Desert’s Call, their debut album (out thru MGM).

The band are currently in Europe for a month long run after smoking it in Canada – 9 gigs in 2 weeks thru West Canada to rooms full of RT converts.

Continue reading Sunday Selection: RogerThat : 2 August 2009

Interview with singer songwriter Clare Bowditch

Interview: Elize Strydom

Clare BowditchThe girl can’t help it. She’s surprised and excited and confused. She’s asking questions, making plans and speaking out. Clare Bowditch is just being Clare Bowditch.

Elize Strydom catches the fire.

“I really love the idea of his stories living on. It’s great to be able to do a tribute with someone who is very much alive and there! You see what’s happening in the culture at the moment with Michael Jackson – I think that’s too late to celebrate someone. My theory is if you love someone, do your best to celebrate them while they’re alive and can enjoy it.”

Clare Bowditch is talking about legendary Indigenous singer/songwriter/storyteller Kev Carmody. And she wants you to know about it. On August 1st Bowditch will take to the stage with a swag of other artists including Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, John Butler, Bernard Fanning and the Drones for Cannot Buy My Soul – a tribute to Carmody and the culmination of the Queensland Music Festival.

Continue reading Interview with singer songwriter Clare Bowditch

Sounds Of Spring 2009: 3rd Artist Lineup Announcement

Just when you thought Sounds of Spring 2009 couldn’t get any better…another 23 acts join us to round-out the line-up

Related: Interview: Tex Perkins on Sounds of Spring, Album and Film Scores

Sounds of Spring    Tex Perkins, Salmonella Dub, Something With Numbers, Kram, Calling All Cars, Midnight Youth, Mary Trembles, MM9, Jericco, Ouch My Face, Astronomy Class, Coalition Crew, Omni Anti featuring DINO, Root!, Further, Amity Affliction, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Grand Atlantic, The Scare, Mexico City, Melodyssey, Nova Scotia, Drawn From Bees.

Continue reading Sounds Of Spring 2009: 3rd Artist Lineup Announcement

Sounds Of Spring 2009: 2nd Artist Lineup Announcement + New Larger Venue!

SOUNDS OF SPRING 2009 now at the new bigger venue – RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane

Sounds of Spring   
2nd LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

26 September, 2009. You best save this date. Sounds of Spring have just added another 20 killer acts to the already exciting line-up of Australia’s best indie acts.

With Early Bird tickets now sold out, Sounds of Spring is destined for a huge second birthday and all the acts below are going to be there to help you celebrate with us. Check out some of their latest tunes on MySpace (click the links below).
Continue reading Sounds Of Spring 2009: 2nd Artist Lineup Announcement + New Larger Venue!

Sounds of Spring 2009 First Lineup Announcement

On 26 September 2009, Brisbane’s own Sounds of Spring music festival will once again open its gates at an impressive new venue at Victoria Park, Gilchrist Ave, Herston (opposite RNA Showgrounds & Royal Children’s Hospital) to an impressive line-up of the country’s best indie acts and 15,000 antsy music lovers. After cutting our teeth on the festival scene last year, Sounds of Spring invites you back for a bigger, better, louder festival, in every way. The response from bands wanting to play at SOS09 has been incredible and we’re extremely proud to present an exciting blend of your favourite Australian acts, and a few new ones we think you’ll really enjoy.

Making up the first of two line-up announcements are the following 28 exciting acts:
Continue reading Sounds of Spring 2009 First Lineup Announcement